Management of skin that’s both oily and dry in parts can be challenging but not impossible. The key is finding an approach that softens dry patches while eliminating shine without irritating oily areas.
Bunting recommends targeting dry areas on your face by applying non-comedogenic and hydrating products that are not comedogenic. He suggests key actives, like Azelaic Acid, which gently exfoliates and soothes.
Water-Based Cleansers
Combination skin is defined as having both oily and dry areas on your complexion, challenging caring for this type of skin. Cleansers and moisturizers explicitly designed to treat combination skin are vital in maintaining balanced, healthy faces that look fresh.
Cleansers are the cornerstone of any skin care routine, and you must find one that suits your needs. If you have oily skin, finding an anti-sulfate and soap-free cleanser will be especially useful to reduce sebum production on your face, helping prevent the build-up of dirt and grime that leads to breakouts and blemishes. A gel or foaming cleanser containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid will unclog pores effectively while leaving them looking clean.
Choosing a gentle, non-sulfate-free cleanser is also crucial if you suffer from dry skin. Please ensure the products you use don’t dry out your skin by selecting ingredients like shea butter or vitamin C to boost its hydration properties and brighten its complexion.
Cleanse your skin twice daily to remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities on the surface of your skin. Rinse well afterward and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing; friction from rubbing could exacerbate dry skin issues and accelerate signs of aging around the eyes.
Cetaphil’s cleansing water can be an ideal starting point for your skincare routine. Micellar waters like this can quickly remove dirt or makeup on the skin’s surface without being harsh on it, making it the perfect option for combination skin. After using micellar water, follow up with an appropriate regular, gel, or foaming cleanser explicitly tailored for your skin type to clear away any remaining impurities and leave behind a fresh start for your complexion.
Chemical Exfoliation
Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells, but this process can become blocked due to sun damage, dryness, or other factors. As a result, your complexion may look dull and greasy in places like the T-zone. Chemical exfoliation helps ensure a healthy, vibrant, radiant complexion by loosening up dead surface skin cell bonds while simultaneously helping minimize pores.
Starting slowly when using chemical exfoliants is critical. Begin with once or twice-weekly exfoliation sessions and gradually increase them until your skin can handle daily exfoliations; just be sure that any product with AHAs or PHAs (such as glycolic acid ) is used on dry or sensitive areas of your body.
If you’re searching for a chemical exfoliant to add to your skincare routine, try this hydrating toner with AHA glycolic acid and rose extracts. It gently smooths skin texture while reducing redness while acting as a humectant that nourishes complexions.
Alternatively, try this glycolic acid-infused serum – gentle enough for use on all skin types but especially beneficial when applied on dry or sensitive areas – which brightens the complexion and evens skin tone while stimulating new collagen production for firmer, younger-looking skin.
Chemical exfoliation can make your complexion more sensitive to sunlight, so always wear sunscreen outdoors. Furthermore, avoid flaking if experiencing breakouts or open wounds on your face.
Mattioli suggests using an AHA/BHA combination product, like Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum from Allies of Skin, which offers multiple complexion-brightening ingredients and antioxidant protection for more efficient exfoliation.
Moisturizers should be part of anyone’s skincare regimen but are especially essential for combination skin. A lightweight moisturizer will prevent oily areas from feeling too heavy or greasy; look for one containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate without creating an imbalance of oils in the complexion.
Moisturizer
Care for oily areas such as your T-zone and chin while keeping dry parts of your face soft and hydrated requires striking a balance. A gel cleanser is the ideal way to do that, as it removes excess oils without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
When selecting a cleanser, Rouleau suggests selecting one with a mild formula that won’t irritate dry patches and won’t clog your pores. He recommends micellar water such as the L’Oreal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Micellar Water ($13) or a foaming cleanser that is oil-free and non-comedogenic (won’t block pores).
Follow up your cleanse with an alcohol-free toner such as The Ordinary’s Alcohol-Free Astringent Toner ($12) or SkinFood Rose Water Toner ($14). Additionally, choose a serum that hydrates both oily and dry areas, such as one with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides to aid both.
Exfoliation is essential to combination skin because it keeps pores unclogged, helping prevent blackheads and breakouts from forming. Selecting an exfoliator that suits both the T-zone/cheek differential can also be effective: Bunting suggests using Azelaic Acid, which refines pores while smoothing texture – plus being anti-inflammatory means it won’t exacerbate cheek areas; Coleman prefers polyhydroxy acids such as those found in Zelens Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads ($65), which gently peel skin while leaving behind hydrated hydrated supple skin that stays fresher longer than ever.
Moisturizer is essential for all skin types, but those with combination skin should prioritize selecting one that’s non-comedogenic and oil-free. A great example would be CeraVe’s Oil-Free Moisture Lotion ($20), which provides enough hydration in oily areas while having an ultra-lightweight formula and features ingredients to balance oil production like Niacinamide and Zinc; additionally, it includes SPF 30 protection to guard against sun damage.
Sunscreen
No matter your skin type, using sunscreen regularly is critical to maintaining healthy and youthful-looking skin. Combination skin can make finding the ideal product more challenging – one that protects from UV rays while not clogging pores in oilier regions may not exist yet!
Finding the ideal sunscreen for your skin begins by understanding its causes and then selecting a formula to address those concerns without aggravating other parts of your face. Oily skin often results from excessive sebum production; in this instance, gentle cleansers that don’t strip away natural oils necessary for maintaining moisture are critical. Additionally, it may be wise to choose non-comedogenic products that won’t clog your pores and cause acne breakouts are often recommended.
If you have dry skin, opting for gentle cleansers like gel or foaming cleansers instead of harsh cleansers like soap is a wise idea. Additionally, switching your moisturizer with something like Shiva Rose Face Oil ($120) or Mun Brightening Youth Serum ($38) may be beneficial for optimal results.
Acne can affect all skin types; those with oily skin particularly prone to breakouts should consider using products containing anti-inflammatory components like niacinamide or sulfur to reduce oil production and minimize breakouts. Avoid physical exfoliators, which could over-exfoliate, leading to redness and irritation.
People with combination skin can benefit from multi-masking routines to address specific concerns. Start the day by applying clay masks like Youth to the People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask on areas prone to oiliness before layering hydrating face cream like Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Cream onto cheeks for additional moisture retention. If unsure which products pair together best, consult a dermatologist.
